Thanks for sharing the link, Dustin! Very exciting to see the names up there!

Congratulations again to all who placed as well as those who didn't -- maybe a little trite sounding, but seriously, I think you "won" something just by submitting your story. Beating that resistance in and of itself counts in my book.

Dancing conga rats once again for all that placed, anywhere on that list! You are up against what is likely two or three thousand a quarter from around the world, and some of those writers are in powerful workshops with bestselling authors critiquing their manuscripts. It is no light thing to make that list, and some of you have made it many times. You deserve a round of applause. Or a conga line of dancing rats in hula skirts and coconut shell bras!

And don't feel bad if you didn't place. You worked hard, submitted the best you can do right now, and what you write tomorrow will be even better, because every day we learn something new. Just don't stop. Every single writer that made it went through this, even though some famous writers act like they didn't. Nuh-uh. Every writer had a beginning. It was ugly. : )

Certificates should be in the mail soon. Shout out here when you get them...Joni misses some now and then, and you can wait forever if you don't know she already sent the lot out.

It's a good idea to frame them--it shows you recognize that they are important, that your writing is important. I have a couple up. I also have a nicely framed cover flat from the Star Trek anthology I'm in. And some photocopies of checks from my writing as well--it's good to remind yourself that this thing you spend bazillions of hours on does actually PAY you now and then. But all my WOTF certificates? Nope. I'll lay out the ones I don't have filed and take a picture and post it to my Facebook. You'll see what I mean, Jeremy. : )

But you're about to get the one I covet most of all--the Lexan Impaler! Seriously, doesn't anyone worry about tripping as they walk off the stage with that thing? They should instruct you to hold it point down, like scissors! : )

Absolutely take pride in your Honorable Mentions! They don't just give those out like candy. Yes, it means your story was in the top 10%, maybe even the top 5%. Only around a hundred per quarter.

It means Dave found enough to like that he finished your story. Most stories, he only reads a page or two. You gave him a reason to set yours aside, come back to it later, and give it his full attention. You're doing something right. Maybe this story fell short somewhere, but it also hit the mark somewhere. You're in the right neighborhood, so keep trying!

And maybe a different editor for a different market will want this story...

Wulf Moon wrote:But you're about to get the one I covet most of all--the Lexan Impaler! Seriously, doesn't anyone worry about tripping as they walk off the stage with that thing? They should instruct you to hold it point down, like scissors! : )

Cheers!

~Moon~

I still worry about dropping the things every time I pick them up, because damn are they heavy. It'd involve broken toes for sure.

Wulf Moon wrote:But you're about to get the one I covet most of all--the Lexan Impaler! Seriously, doesn't anyone worry about tripping as they walk off the stage with that thing? They should instruct you to hold it point down, like scissors! : )

Cheers!

~Moon~

I still worry about dropping the things every time I pick them up, because damn are they heavy. It'd involve broken toes for sure.

Fortunately, Joni not only provided winners with a sturdy suitcase, but in your case, a dolly.